Handle for suit-cases and the like.



` U. M. HOLLINGSWORTH.

"*HA'NDLL PoR SUIT GASLSAND THB LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 19', 1912.

Patented De@.24,1912.

CHARLES M. HOLLINGSWORTH, WASHINGTON, DISTRICT 0F COLUMBIA.'

HANDLE FOR SUIT-CASESAND THE LIKE.

Iro 'azz whomy it my Comm.-

,Be it known that I, CHARLES M. HOL- LINGSwoR'ri-L residino in l/Vashinfrton' District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Handles fori'Suit-Cases and the Like, of. which the following isa specification.

My invention is an improved handle construction for use on suit cases, sample cases, and other containers of asimilar nature. These cases or receptacles are usually of greater length than height or width and are providedwith relatively fixed handlfs on the upper longitudinal side. This construc- -tion not infrequently is inconvenientfor use particularly when the person carrying the case is getting on andV olf of cars, or in standing lat rest the carrier must support the entire weightof the case or stoop over to set the case down. I have, therefore, devised an improved handle construction whereby the case maybe carried in the usual mannerl `Orino-ended andy carried in a vertical positi'n with one end on top, thus makiIig' the'vbottom of the case come closer to the ground and reducing the stooping operation necessary to raise the case from the ground -to a minimum.

Furthermore, it is the object o f my invention to provide the case withp a handle of such naturethat the case maybe carried either in the ordinary-waywith its longitudinal axis horizontal, or may be carried with its longitudinal axis vertical, thus making it more easy for theuser to ascendand descend stairs or cai-.steps with the case.'

(ienerically the invention resides in providing a case with a top and end handle so designed that when, one-handle member is employed., the other assumes a position out of the way, and vice versa,vthereby not leaving projecting parts to get in ones way.

More subordinately the invention includes those novel details of construction, combination and va1'rin,f ,ie1iient. .of parts,I all of which will be first 'fully describeijl` and then be specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the, accompanying drawing, in which z vFigure 1 is a perspective view showing the 'manner of carrying lthe case in a vertical polsition with the end Ihandle member in use.

llig. 2 is a perspective view of the case with the end handle member out of use and the top handle member in position t'or use. I Fig. 3 is a verticalA longitudinal section showing specification of Leners raient. Application-med June 19, 1912, Serial No. 704,533.

Patented Dec. 24. 1912.

the position of the parts when the top handie ils employed, in full lilies, and the position of the parts when the end handle isernployed, in dotted lines. Fig. el is a detail perspective View of the guide member, and,

Fig. 5 is aninverted detail perspective Viewl showing the guid'e member in place in the case.

-ln the drawing, like numerals and letters of reference designate like parts in all the figures.

l is the case,'which may be of the usual construction, and is provided 'with the top side 2 and the end side 3. The case is cut out at 4f and 5 to receive the ends of the.

guide member 6. The guide member 6 is a plate., having side flanges 7 and ears 10,

`through the medium of which, the guide may be secured within the suit case l. as

best indicated in Fig. 5 'of the drawing.

'One end 8 of the guide is bent over to pro- .jee-ts through the openings ,and el of the suit case7 aiiilpasses along the guide v6, as at 19. passing into the suit case through the rop opening 5 and out of the case through the end opening el.

The handle member l2 is held by cross straps 1l and '15. secured to the end 3 of the case 1 a suitable distance apart, while the handle member 1S is guided through straps '1G and li' similarly secured to the top L of the-case l` and spaced a suit-able distance apart. l

'lhe length of thestrap NWN-1S is such that when one. liaiidlc member 1S is in its operative position, :is indicated in Fig. 2, llie ol'iei-Iluindle member 1; will he pulled llzit against ilie end Il of tlie case out of the w" and when the handle meuiliei'l.) is puiied into operative position (sei\'.l"ig. l and dotted lines in VFig'. 3). the handle meinber -lti will be pulled llat against the top 2 ol the case l, andoutl of the way.

l `iom the foregoing it. willbe observed that. my invention provides a convenientand quickly adjustable handle construction, whereby the case may be carried either horizontallv or vertically to suit the convenience struction of the invention, although it is obvious that changes in the details of construction and design of the parts may readily be made Without departing from the invention.

lVhat I claim is ll. A case having a top and an end, combined with a handle member mounted on the top and end to form a top or an end handle by which 'the case may be carried either horizontally or vertically.

2. In a traveling case, a handle forming strap, having one end secured to the top of the case and the other end secured to one end of the case, guide straps secured on the ease through which said handle strap passes to form a top handle member or an end handle member, according as said strap is gripped on the top of the case or its end.

3. In a traveling case, a member having a top handle forming section and an end handle forming section, and a connection between said sections in virtue of Which either section may be moved into its handle form position while the other section is simultaneously flattened against the case.

el. The combination of a traveling case with a top handle member and an end handle member, and means connecting the said handle. members together, in virtue of which when one handle member is in use the other handle member Will be held llatwise against the case, and vice versa.

5. The combination of a traveling case with a top handle member and an end handle member, 4and means connecting the said handle members together, in virtue of Which when one handle member is in use the other handle member will be held iatwise against the case, and vice versa, said case having top and end openings through which said last named means enters and leaves the case.

6. The combination of a travelingV case With a top `handle member and an end handle member, and means connecting the said handle members together, in virtue of which When one handle member is in use the other handle member Will be held llatwise against the case, and vice versa, said case having top and end openings through WhichI said last named means enters and leaves the case, and a guide Within the case for said connecting means. l

7. A case having a top and an-end, combined with a handle member mounted on the top and end to form a top or an end handle by which the' case may be carried either horizontally orv vertically, and means for relatively stationarily holding the ends of said handle member to the case.

8. In a traveling case, a member including atop handle forming section and an end handle forming section, pairs of cross straps secured to the top and to, one end of the case and spaced apart wherebythe top handle forming` section Will come between one pair of cross straps, and the end handle forming section Will come between the other pair of cross straps, a connection between said sections in" virtue of Which either section may be moved into its handle forming position, While the other section is simultaneously flattened against the case, and

means for relatively rigidly holding the ex? treme ends of said member from movement with relation to the case.

CHARLES M. HOLLINGSWORTH.

Witnesses:

ALBERT E. DIETERICH, GEO. B. Prrrs. 

